Acts 27 29

Acts 27:29 kjv

Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

Acts 27:29 nkjv

Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.

Acts 27:29 niv

Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.

Acts 27:29 esv

And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.

Acts 27:29 nlt

At this rate they were afraid we would soon be driven against the rocks along the shore, so they threw out four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for daylight.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 29 Meaning

This verse describes a specific action taken by the soldiers aboard the ship carrying Paul. They feared the prisoners, particularly Paul, would escape. To prevent this, they planned to cast the prisoners out into the sea. This action was motivated by a desire to fulfill their duty to keep the prisoners secured, as ordered by the Roman authorities.

Acts 27 29 Context

At this point in Acts, Paul is on a perilous sea voyage to Rome, a journey marked by severe storms and the constant threat of shipwreck. The centurion in charge of the prisoners, Julius, is responsible for their safety. As the situation deteriorates during the storm, and fearing the prisoners' escape, especially in the chaos and the approach of land (the island of Malta), the soldiers decide to act. Their plan reflects a harsh military discipline where preventing escape was paramount, even at the expense of the prisoners' lives. This verse captures the escalating tension and the desperate measures considered by those in authority on the ship.

Acts 27 29 Word Analysis

• δε (de): A common conjunction, meaning "but" or "and," indicating a continuation or contrast. Here, it links the preceding context of the storm and potential shipwreck to the soldiers' immediate reaction.

• φύλακας (phylakas): A plural noun, meaning "guards" or "watchmen." It refers specifically to the Roman soldiers tasked with guarding the prisoners, including Paul.

• ἐστίν (estin): The third-person singular present indicative form of the verb "to be." It asserts the state or condition of the guards.

• δεσμῶν (desmōn): The genitive plural of "desmos," meaning "fetters," "chains," or "bonds." It refers to the restraints or imprisonment of the prisoners.

• βουλόμενοι (boulomenoi): The present participle, middle voice, of the verb "bouloμαι," meaning "to wish," "to intend," or "to desire." It indicates their active intention or purpose.

• τοὺς δεσμίου departe (tous desmiou departē): This is a composite thought rather than a direct grammatical construction of specific English words as written. The Greek phrase implies "those bound" or "the prisoners."

  • τοὺς (tous): The accusative masculine plural definite article, "the."
  • δεσμίου (desmiou): This appears to be a grammatical error or a misunderstanding of the Greek in the provided verse excerpt. The correct form, as typically understood and found in faithful translations, is "δεσμίους (desmious)" which is the accusative plural of "desmios," meaning "prisoner" or "bound one." Assuming the intended meaning based on context: "the prisoners."
  • παραπορεύεσθαι (paraporeuesthai): This is likely an interpretative word-for-word for the original text, but the Greek in standard texts for this verse is a bit different. The intention here would be "to go away" or "to escape."

• διαφύγοι (diaphygoi): Aorist subjunctive third-person plural of "diaphygo," meaning "to escape" or "to get away." The subjunctive mood is used here, following the verb of intending or wishing.

• κρίνωντας (krinontas): This word is not typically found in Acts 27:29 in reliable manuscripts. It means "judging" or "deciding." There might be a misattribution or typo in the request regarding this word for this specific verse. Standard translations often do not include a word directly meaning "judging" in this phrase.

• Phrase Group Analysis: The soldiers ("guards") wished ("intending") that the prisoners ("those bound") should escape ("go away, escape"). This phrase conveys the guards' intent to prevent any potential flight of the prisoners, linking their inaction (or feared inaction) to the escape of the captives. The soldiers' desire was to act preemptively.

Acts 27 29 Bonus Section

This specific verse and the preceding narrative on the ship illustrate a key tension throughout Acts: the interplay between human agency and divine providence. While the soldiers act according to human reasoning and military discipline, God is ultimately orchestrating Paul's journey. God had promised Paul that he would reach Rome and stand before Caesar (Acts 23:11). The soldiers' fear and their contemplated actions, while logical from their perspective, are part of the larger divine strategy that will ultimately ensure Paul's safety and arrival in Rome. The story serves as a powerful reminder that even in moments of great peril and human effort, God's will prevails.

Acts 27 29 Commentary

The soldiers' concern about the prisoners escaping highlights the high stakes of their charge. In Roman law, if a prisoner under guard escaped, the guard could face severe punishment, even death. This verse illustrates the practical anxieties and responsibilities of the Roman military system. It underscores the natural human reaction to danger and the instinct to secure what is under one's charge, even through potentially extreme measures. This contrasts with Paul's composure and reliance on God, even in dire circumstances, a recurring theme in his ministry and recorded in Acts. The guards' reaction shows a worldly perspective focused on self-preservation and duty fulfillment, whereas Paul’s focus is on God's sovereign plan and presence.